and 2012 was the third worst year on record for wildfires in the southwestern united states. in our science wednesday report, meet a climatologist who says the two extreme phenomena could be related. plus, what's so funny about monetary policy? on making sense, find the final installment of our humor and economics series. all that and more is on our website newshour.pbs.org. gwen? >> ifill: and that's the "newshour" for tonight. on thursday, we'll talk with former vice president al gore about his new book "the future" and much more. i'm gwen ifill. >> brown: and i'm jeffrey brown. we'll see you online and again here tomorrow evening. thank you and good night. >> major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: ♪ ♪ moving our economy for 160 years. bnsf, the engine that connects us. >> and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... >> this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. captioning sponsored by macneil/lehrer productions capti